Ogres

This is the story-based description of Ogres. For the official rules on Ogre characters, go here.

The "Ogres" are a genetic experiment gone wrong. An attempt to merge Saiyan strength and power into human intelligence and self-control went horribly wrong, and the resulting masses of muscle have practically no intellect at all -- but their powers surpass even Saiyan pureblood stock for raw strength. Despite their lack of intellect, they have a deep and abiding lust for technological implements of destruction. It is theorized by some that the spiritual and mental forces they were supposed to wield (for they are capable of neither) were transmuted on some deep level of which we lack understanding, making them innately capable with such tools. In fact, often weaponry that "shouldn't" work, or that looks quite ridiculous, becomes the deadliest of tools in an Ogre's meaty hands.

Ogres are best kept on a short leash, as their higher brain functions are poorly developed. While they can communicate (somewhat), their sense of morality is impaired and they are easily manipulated when not being commanded by a known authority figure.

History

Once upon a time, Crimson, a powerful Saiyan wielder of ki and psionics, approached Alothin, owner of Empirical Industries, to inquire about investing in genetic research to develop an 'ultimate warrior' by merging select genetic samples and artificial manipulation. Alothin sent the idea off to be researched, but indicated that little would likely come of it -- it simply wasn't financially feasible.

However, Alothin is not always ruled by the idol of financial feasibility. Money has always been merely a tool for him to achieve his ends, not an end in and of itself. With the expansion of Empirical Aeronautics, Empirical established a highly-secure base on Titan, a moon of Saturn, in the Sol system. This would become a headquarters for advanced genetic research, as well as an indoctrination and training centre for the projects that came of it. The Ogres were just such a project. Though they failed to meet their complete project criteria, they well exceeded them in other areas. Research continues to try and improve the Ogres to fulfill all their criteria, but in the meantime, their production and training continues apace.

Currently, the existance of the Ogres as a separate species of humanity (for much of their genetics is still derived from human stock, and the Ogres themselves consider themselves human) remains a secret. All Ogres are currently in Titan base, undergoing training in the care of the artificial intelligences there.

The Oathsworn

Part of the genetic criteria for the Ogres was a high level of loyalty, and this was entirely successful. All Ogres are sworn to serve Alothin personally before it is even considered that they might leave Titan. By extension, the Ogres serve Alothin's people -- Empirical Industries. While the oath to Alothin is a permanent oath, they are quite capable of swearing oaths that expire after a certain time or event, but, until then, the oath holds just as much power over them. They will often swear to serve a certain commanding officer of Empirical Industries (usually in either Security or Aeronautics) so long as they are assigned to him or her.

The Foresworn

To an Ogre, to break one's oath is a horrible deed. Those who break their promise to an Ogre are assured of a most horrible vengeance. For an Ogre to break his own promise is almost unthinkable. However, a circumstance may arise where their oaths conflict with each other. This will drive an Ogre into near-insanity from the dissonance in their limited mind. Typically, however, they will default to obeying their older and longer-lasting oaths over newer or shorter-duration ones. Often, after suffering such a situation, the Ogre will arrange to die -- not by their own hand, but by purposefully placing themselves into a situation of extreme personal danger that also serves a greater purpose. Through this, they seek to expunge their guilt by death or glory -- and optimally, both. If at first they fail to die (succeeding in their nigh-impossible task), then they will continue to hurl themselves into such situations until directly ordered to stop by a sworn commander.

Despite the seriousness of their own oaths, and the thought of breaking them being nigh-unthinkable to them, Ogres do recognize the capacity for others to deviate from this standard. They see the ability of humanity to freely practice deception as an emblem of the work of Chaos among them, and are wary of being tainted with such. While they will often punish others for breaking their promises to them, they see mortals as being helpless against such powers, and will often allow the mortals to live, only delivering a stern reprimand and severe beating. The exact grade of punishment, of course, depends on what their own orders and promises allow, and the seriousness of the infraction on the part of the non-Ogrish oathbreaker. Power wielders, on the other hand, are considered to be made of sterner stuff, and are expected to be able to resist the temptations of Chaos. Very often, only a direct order will save the life of a power wielder who breaks their word to an Ogre.

Indoctrination

Extending upon their genetic loyalty and sworn oaths, the Ogres' training is largely couched in religious terminology, and many of their training sessions are highly ritualized. With their simple, undoubting minds (and the highly-controlled training environment), this leads to a well-indoctrinated mind. Ogres display a religious fanaticism and zeal for their ultimate creator -- Alothin. To them, he is the father of each and every one of them, and the Exemplar of the Immortal Emperor that rules over their lives. He is not, however, their friend -- to consider him that, or to claim it, would be a crude act of extreme arrogance -- he is too much more than them for him to be their friend. While they are more or less incompetent at it, some Ogres even try to study the magical arts to become more like him. Those who are successful are honoured among their comrades, and often take leading roles whenever multiple Ogres are in a group. Decrying their beliefs as false or simply dismissing it as inconsequential will always provoke a violent response. If the denier is a mortal, this usually amounts to being slapped down (but not seriously harmed). The Ogres are trained to regard mortals as somewhat stupid children who must be protected from their own folly (which is, considering the Ogres' own vaunted intellectual puissance, rather ironic). Power wielders usually suffer a proportionally greater response of violence.

Despite this 'religious' training, the moral conscience of an Ogre is unusually weak. While they typically do not break laws they are aware of (as there are usually standing orders on the subject), they would see nothing wrong with doing so if orders did not exist otherwise. Orders are, after all, sacrosanct. Better that a whole platoon of Ogres should die, than a single order be broken.

Ogrish Theology

The 'religion' of the Ogres is occasionally seen to have similarities with practices such as those of the Elves of D'hennex, who venerate their deceased ancestors. They do not worship them as gods, as the Kamists do the Kami, but instead respect them and seek to learn from their lives. In a similar fashion, Ogres consider Alothin their progenitor, though still living, and study his life and ways in their attempts to improve themselves.

Through Alothin, the Ogres have learnt to venerate Order, and many of their principles of faith are derived from Orderly philosophy. As Ogres have a very difficult time grasping the nature of an abstract concept like Order, the concept of the Emperor has also arisen in their principles -- a pseudo-mythical being that is the perfect manifestation of Order, wielding seemingly infinite power over the universe and driving back the forces of Chaos to allow for the creation of an Orderly utopia, giving the Ogres a personification they can instead hold on to. Alothin is not seen as the Emperor, but as an Exemplar of the Ogrish faith, a being that stands significantly closer to the Emperor than the masses -- an approximate equivalent to a Christian saint. In his role as Exemplar, the Ogres believe that he knows the will of the Emperor, and passes on those commands to his servants, who command the Ogres.

Due to the close connection they perceive between them, Exemplars are sometimes conflated with the Emperor in Ogrish myths, leading to the viewpoint that the Exemplars are shards of the Emperor, and when brought together, their powers could reforge the Emperor anew. While this is not the only suggested route by which the Emperor might be made real, Ogrish eschatology consistently indicates that the manifestation of the Emperor would result in the sweeping away of Chaotic forces and the recreation of the world as an Orderly utopia.

Ogrish theology, being descended from Orderly philosophy, describes a rigid hierarchy of power through the beings that it reveres. Above all stands the Emperor, the elemental concept of Order made manifest in the world, a being of limitless potential, power, and wisdom. Below the Emperor exist the Exemplars, beings of significant power that know and serve the will of the Emperor. Depending on the text, these beings are described as either rising into the position through the overcoming of the Emperor's foes, or being born into it by the blessing of the Emperor. While the texts, by always describing the Exemplars as plural, imply that there exist many, or at least several, Exemplars, Alothin is the sole Exemplar specified to the Ogres. Below the Exemplars are a much larger class of people, known generally as the Emperor's Trusted. While there are numerous complex subclassifications, the Emperor's Trusted all have the common property of being directly connected to an Exemplar, through which they receive the word of the Emperor. This makes the Emperor's Trusted the clergy of the Ogrish faith, and the Empirical employees entrusted with the command of the Ogres are all part of this group.

Edicts of Faith

• Venerate the Immortal Emperor. Devote your thoughts to him, and fill your prayers with your zeal.
• Obey the Emperor's Trusted with diligence, for they speak His very words.
• Let the compass of your reward be to know you serve the Emperor's will.
• Be glad of your master's punishment, for it improves you.
• Guard your mind, body, and spirit. Be pure, that you may be found pleasing to the Emperor.
• The servants of the Emperor do not fear the heretic, for we are fear incarnate to evil.
• To admit defeat is to blaspheme against the Immortal Emperor. The Emperor protects.
• Heed not the word of the heretic. Help not the ills of the traitor.
• Armour yourself in contempt for the fallen, and strike down those that would turn you from the Emperor's service.
• Speak His word always, and a blessing will always be upon your lips for loyal Mankind.
• The Emperor sees your deeds. Be courageous, and worthy of his sight.
• The Emperor hears your words. Be true, and worthy of his hearing.
• There is no greater proclamation of faith than to offer up our lives to guard the soul of humanity.
• It is better to die for the Emperor than to live for yourself.

OOC Information

This is a unique race designed by Hroefn.

Playing an Ogre

You must have Hroefn's permission to play an Ogre, prior to applying for one.

PC Ogres (as opposed to NPCs), are generally considered to be the brightest of the bunch. While this doesn't affect their tech bias, and they often still have speech impediments, bizarre accents, or a unique form of pidgin Common, it does mean they can be taught to eat with silverware and otherwise obey social mores without the constant, direct input of a superior. PC Ogres will thus be the ones actually seen around Cardinal and other locales. They are always employees of an Empirical subsidiary, typically Aeronautics or Security, and live in Empirical facilities unless given permission to engage lodgings elsewhere. In comparison, the vast majority of NPC Ogres will remain on Titan Base. The few visible ones might work as guards in secure Empirical facilities, such as certain segments of EIS-4. The one exception to this is as minions -- with appropriate IC permission, some characters will be permitted to use Ogres as minions. As gaining Ogres as minions is a Society technique, if your character falls out of favour with the powers that be at Empirical, chances are they may lose use of their Ogrish minions.